WEDDINGS are a pricey business. From the dress to the venue and everything in between, it often feels that the love gets swamped by the expense.

But you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a day to remember, especially when it comes to what the bridesmaids wear. High street stores are packed with brilliant dresses and accessories.

We sent a bride and her best friend to Silverburn Shopping Centre outside Glasgow before taking them on to the city’s Club 29 to check out their wedding facilities.

Bride-to-be Clare Gardener, 24, is a theatre nurse, from Dennistoun, Glasgow, and her bridesmaid Fiona Dow is a PR account executive, who’s also from the city.

As it is Clare’s big day, we asked her to run the rule over a number of different outfits.

Fiona in lime dress from Warehouse

Clare said: “We’ve been best friends for about 10 years, so I know Fiona is going to be a brilliant bridesmaid.

“She’s really well-organised and good at dealing with people, so those qualities are pretty important for the job.

“I always go to Fiona for advice about fashion and it was her who helped me pick my wedding dress, so I think she has to have a say in what she wears on the day, too.

“I haven’t decided on a particular colour scheme yet, so the bridesmaid’s dress is important to pull together the look and feel of the wedding.

“But I want her to be comfortable, too, and feel good about herself on the day.

Gold maxi dress from Oh My Love @ Topshop

“I’ll be buying the dress, so it’s important to me that she gets something that she wants to wear again.

“It would be a waste just to wear it once.”

For more info on Club 29, visit www.29glasgow.com

Top tips on shopping for high street labels

Hitting the high street can take the stress out of shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses.

Not only are prices much more affordable but the whole process is more relaxed as there’s no appointments to try on dresses.

This season, the shops are full of elegant, floaty dresses in pretty pastel colours that are ideal for a bridesmaid. But more brides are choosing black or metallic shades to create a chic, monochrome look on their big day.

The added bonus is that dresses in these colours are likely to be easy to wear again for a night out or a formal event.

Most brides pick up the tab for their bridesmaids’ dresses these days, so it’s important to set a budget.

Shops such as Monsoon, Debenhams and Coast have fab ranges designed with weddings in mind. You can also try Miss Selfridge, Zara, Oasis and Warehouse for vibrant, of-the-season shades.

For more muted tones, you’ll find plenty of choice in Topshop, M&S and New Look.

Try to avoid dresses with excessive detail, beading or patterns and instead go for stylish simplicity.

You don’t want the bridesmaids to take the focus away from you, so big, bright prints are a no-no.

Don’t forget shoes and accessories. Metallic or nude shades work best for shoes and bags because they are super versatile.

With such a wide choice, you and your bridesmaids are bound to find something that’s just perfect for all of you.

It might take a few trips to the shops to please everyone but, while you’re looking, you’ll have some great girly bonding time, too.

All clothes supplied by Silverburn, Glasgow, and Union Square, Aberdeen